Hannah Anderson
Ethan Anderson
James Lee DiMaggio
— A man suspected in the death of a woman whose body was found Sunday night in a burned house in Boulevard, where the body of an unidentified child also was found, may have abducted the victim's daughter and son, sheriff's officials said Monday.
An Amber Alert was issued at 5 p.m. Monday for the two missing children, Hannah Anderson, 16, and her brother, Ethan, 8.
Sheriff's officials held a news conference several hours after the alert was issued to ask for the public's help in locating the children and the suspect, James Lee DiMaggio, 40, of Boulevard.
Authorities believe either one or both of the children were abducted and are in danger, and they are working nonstop to find them, sheriff's homicide Lt. Glenn Giannantonio said. The FBI is assisting in the investigation.
DiMaggio is suspected of killing the children's mother, Christina Anderson, 44, of Lakeside, and setting a fire Sunday night at his Boulevard residence, the lieutenant said. It was not disclosed whether Anderson was killed by the fire or another means. Remains of burned weapons were found in the house, Giannantonio said.
DiMaggio and Anderson were described as being close platonic friends and were not believed to be involved in a romantic relationship, the lieutenant said.
Because of the ongoing investigation, he said he could not speak to a possible motive in the killing
Firefighters found Anderson's body when they responded shortly after 8 p.m. Sunday to a blaze at the house and detached garage on Ross Avenue, south of Old Highway 80.
DiMaggio owned the property and lived there alone, Giannantonio said.
Sheriff's bomb-arson investigators who were sifting through the rubble of the burned buildings at the East County home also found the remains of a child, he said. The child's identity and cause of death have not been determined. It was not disclosed whether the body might be either of Anderson's children.
Authorities also found a dog that had been killed in the structure where Anderson's body was discovered, Giannantonio said.
DiMaggio and the children may be in a blue four-door Nissan Versa, with California license plate 6WCU986, authorities said.
Giannantonio said it was unknown whether they were still in San Diego County, where DiMaggio has family.
The lieutenant said he could not discuss whether DiMaggio had a criminal history or whether he was employed.
He said the children were reported missing Sunday by their maternal grandparents, who are believed to live in San Diego County.
Hannah is described as white, 5 feet 7 inches tall, 115 pounds, with blond hair, blue eyes, a bellybutton ring, nose stud and pierced ears. Ethan is described as white, 4 feet 11 inches tall, 65 pounds, with sandy blond hair.
DiMaggio is described as white, 5 feet 9 inches tall, 150 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He may have shaved off a mustache and beard, the lieutenant said.
Anyone who sees DiMaggio should not try to detain him but call 911, Giannantonio said. It was unknown whether he might he armed.
Anyone with information about the case can also call the sheriff's homicide unit at (858) 974-2321 and after hours at (858) 565-5200, or anonymously to Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477. Tipsters are eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest.
